Abstract

This study examines the research capacity and research culture of university lecturers as a multi-level construct comprising individual, team, and organizational levels, rather than merely an isolated competence of individual researchers. Using a contextually adapted version of the Research Capacity and Culture (RCC) tool, the study surveyed 255 faculty members at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City. Statistical analyses indicated that the adapted instrument demonstrated good reliability and satisfactory construct validity in the study context. Descriptive findings showed that individual research capacity received the highest ratings, followed by team research capacity, while organizational research capacity was rated lowest. The study found statistically significant differences only in the individual research capacity across faculty members’ gender, age, academic rank, educational attainment, managerial position, and income. In contrast, no statistically significant differences were observed across these demographic variables for team- and organizational-level research capacity. The study provides initial evidence supporting the suitability of the RCC tool in the context of a Vietnamese university. It also reveals a gap between the individual research capacity and the level of support available at the team and organizational levels, thereby offering implications for strengthening research capacity within the institution.